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Phenom Phrenzy: Starting Pitchers
GNUru Fantasy Baseball Columns
Written by The GNUru   
Apr 25, 2007 at 12:59 PM

It's about this time of year when MLB teams begin to realize that a rehashed veteran starting pitcher just isn't going to get the job done.  It's time guys like Miguel Bautista and Casey Fossum make way for the next generation both in real baseball, as well as its fantasy counterpart.  The whispers have already begun and fantasy owners are ready to pounce on this year's head of the phenom phrenzy class.  Many fantasy baseballers are hoping Tim Lincecum, Phil Hughes, Homer Bailey, Matt Garza, and Angel Guzman will have a fantasy impact on their team this year but is that really the case?  History tells us that few hyped starting pitchers will immediately perform and those that do perform go through some growing pains along the way- think Matt Cain.  Of course there are always exceptions, some succeed right away (Dwight Gooden, Mark Prior) and others never succeed (Jesse Foppert).  So the GNUru poses the question which of these young phenoms will make an immediately fantasy baseball impact?

Cast you answer in the GNUru Poll to the right or see the results here

Tim Lincecum

Tim LincecumLincecum was the Giants first-round pick in 2006 and breezed through the low minors. Despite starting just 8 games last year, he isn't far from making his major-league debut and he could be the first pitcher called up when someone goes down with an injury or struggles. Licecum is the prospect that seems to have everyone drooling.  Although he seemed to get better command this spring Tim will need to cut down the walk before making a major fantasy impact.

Year
Team
W
L
ERA
GS
INN
BB
SO
2006
A-San Jose
2
0
1.95
6
27.2
12
48
2006
A-Salem-Keizr
0
0
0.00
2
4
0
10

Angel Guzman 

Angel GuzmanGuzman is a former top prospect in the Cubs organization who got hit early by the injury bug.  In his younger days, Guzman was a much more heralded prospect than Carlos Zambrano and has just as nasty as stuff.  Guzman appears healthy and has regained some of the command he lost post injury.  Angel will be the first to get the call should an injury happen to anyone in the rotation or Wade Miller continues to suck.  Guzman has great K/9 potential for leagues that value strikeouts.  

 

Year
Team
W
L
ERA
GS
INN
BB
SO
2000
R-La Pradera
1
1
1.93
6
32.2
5
25
2001
A-Boise
9
1
2.23
14
76.2
19
63
2002
A-Daytona
6
2
2.39
15
94
33
74
2002
A-Lansing
5
2
1.89
9
62
16
49
2003
AA-West Tenn
3
3
2.81
15
89.2
26
87
2004
AA-West Tenn
0
3
5.60
4
17.2
4
13
2004
A-Daytona
3
1
4.20
7
30
0
40
2005
A-Peoria
0
1
4.26
2
6.1
0
7
2005
R-Cubs
0
0
1.50
4
12
1
17
2006
AAA-Iowa
4
4
4.04
15
75.2
24
77
2007
AAA-Iowa
4
4
4.04
15
75.2
24
77

Homer Bailey

Homer BaileyCBS Sportsline calls Homer Bailey "the No. 1 pitching prospect to have in all of baseball and all long-term keeper leagues. He is a future ace in the making."  While Bailey does have oodles of talent the Reds aren't exactly known for their development of pitching talent.  With an always shaky rotation in Cincinnati Homer could get called up sooner rather than later even though they insist he will be handled with kid gloves.    

 

Year
Team
W
L
ERA
GS
INN
BB
SO
2004
R-Reds
0
1
4.38
3
12.1
3
9
2005
A-Dayton
8
4
4.43
21
103
62
125
2006
AA-Chattanooga
7
1
1.59
13
68
28
77
2006
A-Sarasota
3
5
3.31
13
70.2
22
79

Matt Garza 

Matt GarzaMatt Garza has been on the fantasy baseball radar for sometime now.  Perhaps it is because he has a great arm and cruised through the minor leagues at a rapid pace.  More likely, though, it is because Garza is next in the line of Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano.  The Twins have proven they can develop top flight pitching talent the question is can he remain healthy and when will he get his chance to start in the rotation, not the bullpen.  Patience may be the key with Garza.

Year
Team
W
L
ERA
GS
INN
BB
SO
2005
A-Beloit
3
3
3.54
10
56
15
64
2005
R-Elizabethtn
1
1
3.66
4
19.2
6
25
2006
AA-New Britain
6
2
2.51
10
57.1
14
68
2006
A-Fort Myers
5
1
1.42
8
44.1
11
53
2006
AAA-Rochester
3
1
1.85
5
34
7
33

 

Phil Hughes

Phil HughesThe 20-year-old right-hander went a combined 12-6 with a 2.16 ERA, .179 batting-average against and 168 strikeouts in 146 innings between high Class A and Double-A, most of the time being spent in the upper level in 2006. The Yankees decided to give him his opportunity Thursday night against the Blue Jays.  Hughes was 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts this season at Triple-A Scranton, and he pitched six shutout innings last Wednesday at Syracuse, allowing two hits, striking out 10 and walking none.  If he can live up to the hype and post a few quality starts he should stick in the rotation. All Yankee starters make decent fantasy pitchers as they will get plenty of run support. 

Year
Team
W
L
ERA
GS
INN
BB
SO
2004
R-Yankees
0
0
0.00
3
5
0
8
2005
A-Charleston
7
1
1.97
12
68.2
16
72
2005
A-Tampa
2
0
3.06
4
17.2
4
21
2006
AA-Trenton
10
3
2.25
21
116
32
138
2006
A-Tampa
2
3
1.80
5
30
2
30
 

 

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Welcome to theGNUru.com.  While we can provide you with all the tools to ensure fantasy success, often times big fantasy decisions are difficult to make.  With that in mind the GNUru is here to help you with those tough decisions.  If you have a fantasy baseball question that is eating you alive, then simply fill out the "Ask the GNUru " form.  Questions may be published in the GNUru Mailbag and in no way will we sell or disclose you contact information. 

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